The men’s basketball team will have a different look entering the 2007-08 season and will be required to rely on several new faces in order to stay competitive in the North Eastern Athletic Conference. This year’s group will need to regroup and redefine roles as the Crimson Eagles lost their top six scorers from a year ago and eight players in all including 84% of the team’s total points and 80% of their rebounding. Moreover, the losses of NCCAA All-American’s Chase Byler (Graduation) and Tom Arthur (Injury), in addition to Tyler Bull (Transfer), will provide a considerable challenge for the Crimson Eagles to overcome as the trio combined for 43.5 points and 16.8 rebounds a game last season.

On a team that features no starter over 6’3, PBU will have to rely on their speed and quickness both offensively and defensively to help combat their overall lack of height. Despite the loss of their top three offensive playmakers from a year ago, the Crimson Eagles remain optimistic for the upcoming season due to the potential to utilize a more balanced scoring attack. However, the question of where the points will end up coming from is still a question of concern as no returner averaged more than 2.8 points/game last season. Defensively PBU will look to put constant pressure on opposing teams, utilizing their quickness and ability to get up and down the floor to help disrupt the opponent’s offensive flow.

Although the Crimson Eagles have seven juniors on the roster, Otis Caston returns as the lone senior on the squad. Caston will try and lead a relatively young team that, at this point, has minimal collegiate experience to bank upon. In fact, only three players on the roster averaged over ten minutes a game last season, meaning that inexperience may be a factor particularly early on in the year.

Inside, the Crimson Eagles will rely heavily up on Caston, junior Austin McCardle, and junior Jon Delgato to facilitate the paint and control the boards. Delgato returns to the team after taking last season off and should provide an instant spark off the bench. Another potential contributor at the big-man spot includes second year forward/center Jim Trikur, as the 6’6 sophomore will look to increase both his role and minutes this season after playing in just nine games last year.

At the guard positions, playing time seems to be up for grabs as the Crimson Eagles have numerous players that will be competing for time. Sophomore Jared Wilcox, junior Dan O’Brien, and junior Michael Phillips are three of the frontrunners to get significant minutes as they are the only three returners at the guard spots. Juniors Jeremy Dunham and Ben Fuller, who join Delgato in returning after taking a year off, have looked solid so far in preseason and should see significant playing time come the regular season. The only two freshmen on the team, Malik Charles and Dan Esbenshade, have both been impressive surprises thus far and should have a legitimate chance to contribute. Junior guard Eric Dimitri will also look to crack the playing rotation in his first season with the Crimson Eagles.

Entering the 2007 season with a revamped lineup provides many questions for a young Crimson Eagle squad. PBU’s success will largely depend on how quickly they can come together as a team as the group faces an uphill battle due to their overall minimal collegiate playing experience. However, despite several major obstacles, head coach Dick Beach remains optimistic about how his team will fair in competition due to their hard work and unselfish attitudes thus far throughout preseason. As long as the team continues to progress and improve, the Crimson Eagles should hopefully be in the contention for a NEAC playoff birth and more come February.

The men’s basketball team opens up the year when they travel to Muhlenberg College on November 16th to compete in the two-day Scotty Wood Tournament.